M 1903 & '03A3 Springfield Rifles

Bob Dunlap is a renowned expert on many firearms, including U. S. military rifles.

For those of you looking for complete specifications and tolerances for National Match versions of these rifles, and those of you looking for enough information to qualify you as an Armorer for the U. S. Army Marksmanship Unit, this course is NOT for you. This course also does not cover rebarreling, as this is not a unit Armorer function. BUT, for those of you looking for practical instruction in how to get your rifle completely apart, clean, troubleshoot, make common repairs, and get your gun back together and operating properly with none of those pesky and embarrassing leftover parts, you have come to the right place. Bob uses a cut away gun so that you can actually see how the internal parts function and their relationship to one another. This will help you to understand the design and function of these guns.

If you want the long course, on the design, function and extensive repair of this gun and firearms in general, look into our basic 108 hour Professional Gunsmith course.

Among the items covered are:

History

The M 1903 was originally designed by the Springfield Armory in 1901. That version was not accepted by the US Army. It was redesigned and the 1903 version was accepted. The 1903 MKI was developed toward the end of WWI and included changes to accept the Pedersen semi-auto .30 pistol cartridge device. Early 1903s suffered from improper heat treating which left the receivers very hard, but brittle. Some burst and they are not recommended for continued use. Springfield guns numbered below 800,000 and Rock Island guns numbered below 285,000 are suspect

Production restarted in 1942 due to the shortage of the M1 Garand. The rear sight was changed, the barrel was changed to a two groove and the finish degraded and the rifle was designated the 1903A3. Production continued through February 1944. The 1903A4 was a dedicated sniper rifle and was used through the Korean War and into the Vietnam War

The gun was such a close derivative of the German Mauser rifles that the US lost a patent infringement suit and actually paid Mauser and the German government $3,000,000 for licensing the use of a rifle we were using against them in a war

The actions make a fine base for a civilian rifle and huge numbers were "sporterized"

Design & Function

A word of caution for the Springfield worshippers, the course guns are tools for instruction and will not be handled as if they were the British Crown Jewels

A cut-away gun is used to illustrate and demonstrate the guns design and function

Loading and stripper clip functions are demonstrated

Feeding and ejection and the operation of the ejector are shown

How a snap-over extractor works

Function of the magazine cut-off/bolt stop shown and explained

Bolt lock-up, locking cam, and striker operation shown

Primary extraction cam shown and operation is demonstrated, caution against removing its ugly cousin on the 1917 Enfield is expressed

Striker/firing pin cocking piece and bolt cocking cam shown

Two stage trigger operation shown

Cone breech purpose and operation demonstrated

Safety design and operation

Re-cap of operating cycle and fire control operation and sequence

Disassembly

Ken Brooks demonstrates complete disassembly, special attention given to parts that should not be disassembled under normal circumstances & why

Noted are parts under spring tension so that they are not launched into Never Never Land

Use of a digital camera or cell phone camera during the disassembly is very useful during the reassembly process

Bolt removal and disassembly

Stock removal and disassembly

Trigger guard and magazine disassembly

Trigger and sear removal and disassembly

Magazine cut-off removal and disassembly

Ejector removal

Rear sight removal and disassembly

Cleaning & Lubrication

AGI cleaning & lubrication methods shown, along with the reasons for their use

After cleaning, dry with air gun, a hair dryer, or in the oven on Warm ~185-200 degrees (metal parts ONLY)

What oil AGI likes to lube the gun with during assembly

Reassembly

Making sure you have no parts Left over

In many cases the order of assembly is important, Ken shows you the correct order

Assembly is in reverse order of disassembly

Getting the right pieces in the right places, the easiest way possible

Using the proper tool to help you line up the parts to accept their pins

How to achieve proper gas operation on re-welded/salvaged guns

Differences in the 1903A3

Removing the stamped 1 piece sheet metal trigger guard and the minor differences in spring assembly in the follower

Removal and disassembly of the rear receiver sight

Replacement and reassembly of rear sight

To stake or not to stake

Reassembly and re-installation of the trigger guard and magazine box

Troubleshooting & Repair

Problems involved in changing calibers

Safety modification issues

Drilling and tapping for a scope mount

Custom safety and trigger modifications

Loose firing pin

Fitting the extractor

Magazine feeding problems

The safety lug

Firing pin tip shape

Hints & tips

Final Thoughts and Wrap- up

If you noticed how often the terms explanation, and demonstration are used, you may be getting some idea of why this course is a must have for any 1903/03A3 Springfield rifle owner, or someone who intends to be.